Why Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry Is Your Next Big Obsession

Why Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry Is Your Next Big Obsession

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Cars Being Stolen With Keyless Entry

If car owners place their keys on the table or near their doors, they may not realize that they are allowing thieves to steal their signal. This relay attack is a highly-tech method criminals use to steal keys from new vehicles.

All keyless ignition vehicles emit a low-power radio signal that is used to locate a matching fob. If the signal is recorded and recreated, it could be used to unlock the car and begin it up.

Relay Attack

Picture your car parked securely in the driveway, and the key fob tucked away in your home. You may think your car is safe, but sophisticated thieves are planning to steal your car without you being aware. Instead of slamming windows and jiggling locks, they are using technology to hack into vehicles using digital chinks in their armor. This method of stealing cars with keyless access is known as relay theft.

The keyless entry system that is found in cars is controlled by a signal from the car's RF transmitter to the key fob. To ensure that keyless entry is not unauthorized the RF transmitters on the key fob and car are programmed to only activate when they're within a specific distance of each other. However, a thief can overcome this limitation using a technique known as the'relay attack'.

To do so two people work in tandem: one stands by the car, using the device that captures an electronic version of the key fob's signal. The other who is at the owner's home, uses a second gadget to transmit the signal from the key fob back to the car. This trick tricks the car into believing that the key fob has reached a distance sufficient to allow it to be opened and started the vehicle.

In the past, this kind of heist required expensive equipment to perform. Today, you can purchase a cheap relay transmitter online and pull off a heist within minutes. This is why it's so well-liked by car thieves.

All modern cars with keys are at risk. Certain vehicles are more vulnerable to this type of attack than others. In fact researchers have tested 237 popular cars and found that they can be targeted by this method.

Tesla vehicles are believed to be less vulnerable to this kind of theft. However, the company hasn't yet implemented UWB technology to allow it to conduct distance checks and prevent attacks via relay. The company has said that they will implement this in the near future, but until then, they're vulnerable. Installing an anti-theft system that protects both your keys and your car against such attacks is a proactive approach to ensure the security of your car.

CAN Injection Attack

Modern cars can guard themselves from thieves by transferring encrypted messages using the key to prove its authenticity. The system is generally believed to be secure, however criminals have found a way to circumvent it. They just impersonate the smart key, and send messages to the vehicle letting it unlock the doors, turn off its engine immobilizer, and let them leave the car. To achieve this, they need access to the smart keys' internal communication network.

Nowadays, the majority of cars are equipped with between 20 and 200 electronic control units (or ECUs) which control different aspects of the car's operation. They communicate using a network called CAN bus. To reduce power consumption they ECUs enter a low-power sleep mode that's activated when they receive a wake up' frame. These frames are usually sent via the door or smart key receiver ECU. These messages aren't always authenticated or encrypted. This means that criminals are able to take them over with a simple and cheap device.

They search for a spot that allows them to connect directly to the wires of the CAN connection. They are usually hidden in the headlights or in front of the car and can be accessed by pulling the bumper and cutting holes in the headlamp assembly to expose the wires. The thieves use the device referred to as an CAN injection attack. It is used to send fake messages which trick the car's safety systems to unlock and disable the engine immobilizer.

These devices can be bought through the Dark Web and work with the majority of major car manufacturers which include BMW and Cadillac, Chrysler, Fiat and Ford, Honda, Hyundai and Jeep, Lexus and Nissan, Renault and Toyota, Volkswagen and Maserati. Researchers who discovered the CAN Injection attack recommend that all car manufacturers fix this issue in their existing models. However, these criminals will continue taking whatever they can. The best we can do is to try and prevent this by installing security measures that are mechanical like Discloks on all cars and ensuring that they are placed in areas that are well-lit and are clearly visible to passers-by.

Blocking the Signal

In a variant of the relay attack, which makes use of a device, thieves can jam the signal sent by the key fob when the car is locked. The device could be inside the pocket of a thief in a parking area or in a hiding spot near the driveway being targeted. When owners press the lock button on their fobs and walk away they don't consider whether or not the car actually locks. Instead, thieves are able to escape with the vehicle because the signal that normally locks the car has been blocked by the device of the criminal.

They also make use of devices that amplify signals from the key fob to unlock vehicles. They can do this when the key is inside the pocket of the driver or hanging from its hook inside the house. Once the car has been unlocked, hackers can use an ordinary diagnosis port to program an unlocked fob.

To guard against this kind of attack, car makers have developed a variety of anti-theft devices. However, thieves will always come up with new ways to beat these measures.

For instance, they've begun using devices that transmit on the same radio frequency as remote key fobs in order to intercept their signals. The crooks can then copy the key fob's unlock code and start the car with this fake signal.

This method is particularly popular in the US where a lot of cars are equipped with wireless technology. Owners can start and unlock their car using a mobile application on their phone. This technique is likely to be more commonplace as more car manufacturers attempt to connect their cars to their owners smartphones.

In addition to incorporating anti-theft technology in vehicles, it's crucial for drivers to use the best practices when they park their cars. They shouldn't leave their keys in the ignition, and should always ensure that the vehicle is locked completely when they're not there and should use an engine or steering wheel lock, if they can. They should also consider installing a tracking device onto their vehicle in case it's stolen.

Flat Battery

This kind of attack is more frequent than people think. Thieves make use of inexpensive devices to extend the signal from your key fob to open and start a car even when it's turned off. They then simply drive the car around a corner or onto a trailer to then drive off with it. It is possible to shield your vehicle from this by installing a starter circuit interrupt switch. The simplest ones just have an ON/OFF switch that shuts off the starter circuit. It's priced at around $15 and is simple enough to put in yourself.

Car thieves are always seeking new ways to take vehicles. The police, car makers and insurance companies are always trying to catch up with their strategies and offer better anti-theft solutions for the latest cars. However, that doesn't stop thieves who read more are able be quick to adapt and find ways to get around the most recent anti-theft measures.

For example, many criminals use devices that operate on the same frequency as the fob to jam the signal. They put the device in their pockets or close to their vehicle, and it blocks the fob's lock command from reaching the car, leaving it unlocked. This can be done in a matter of seconds. The device is inexpensive and easily available online.

Another option is to hack the car's computer system. This is more difficult but feasible. Hackers have designed devices that plug into the diagnostic port of all vehicles and permit them to connect to the software. From there, they are able to program the blank key fob to start working. It is possible to do this on older cars too however it is more difficult without removing the ignition.

As more vehicles are linked to drivers' phones and this method could be more popular. Once a criminal has the username and password for the vehicle app, they can then unlock the car or start it by using the app on their phone. You can safeguard yourself by not putting valuables inside your car, and parking in a garage.